1 Health and Human Services Agency Housing and Homeless Prevention Strategy on Homelessness October 20, 2009 Housing and Homeless Prevention

2 Health and Human Services Agency Who are the Homeless Napa Valley Shelter Project Overview Shelter Project and Homeless Services Costs Shared Governance Homeless Prevention and Rapid Rehousing (HPRP) Housing and Homeless Prevention

3 Health and Human Services Agency Transitionally Homeless: Almost 90% of those who experience homelessness each year are experiencing a first or second episode of homelessness which typically lasts less than one year. An estimated two-thirds of this sub-population lives in a family household. Typically, a job loss, illness or eviction causes them to lose their housing and are unable to find other housing that is affordable and/or resolve their lack of income, they become homeless. Housing and Homeless Prevention

4 Health and Human Services Agency Discharged Into Homelessness: Released from public institutions, directly into the streets. Foster care systems, jail and prisons, mental health programs, drug and alcohol programs and hospitals. Systems do not engage in pre-release permanent housing planning to ensure that those discharged have stable housing and are linked to necessary services Housing and Homeless Prevention

5 Health and Human Services Agency Chronically Homeless: The chronically homeless are severely disabled with a mental health condition, physical illness or substance abuse problem. They have been homeless for a year or longer or have had at least four episodes of homelessness in the last three years. They are the most visible segment of the homeless population and the focus of community frustration. Though a small percentage of the overall yearly homeless population, chronically homeless are costly to mainstream. Housing and Homeless Prevention

6 Napa Valley Shelter Project The Shelter Project is a program of Community Action of Napa Valley (CANV), The Napa Valley Shelter Project operates the only emergency shelters for homeless men, women and children in Napa County. Mission The Napa Valley Shelter Project will provide safe and humane temporary shelter to Napa County homeless individuals and families and coordinate resources to assist them in acquiring the skills and assets necessary to obtain and maintain permanent housing and self-sufficiency. ~ Adopted June, 1988 Housing and Homeless Prevention

7 Napa Valley Shelter Project Samaritan Family Center (SFC) - is an entry point to services for homeless families. Emergency shelter is offered for up to 90 days along with coaching and case management to assist families in becoming financially self sufficient and sustainably housed. It has room for seven families. In addition, up to 3 families may stay for one night only while other temporary shelter is arranged. The South Napa Shelter - a facility for clean and sober individuals 18 and older has two primary goals for its guests – increasing income and securing sustainable housing. We help them achieve those goals through weekly coaching/case management, requiring that they volunteer at the center and in the community, and providing the tools and encouragement to succeed. All guests are held accountable for their behavior at the center and in the community. All guests must be referred through the HOPE Center. The Emergency Winter Shelter - provides a safe, warm and dry place to sleep for Napa’s most difficult to reach homeless population. There are few requirements for this shelter beyond basic civil behavior. Each year however, people move from the facility into other shelters and eventually sustainable housing. All guests must be referred through the HOPE Center. Housing and Homeless Prevention

8 Napa Valley Shelter Project The HOPE Resource Center - provides showers, toilets, mail, phones, laundry, and other basic services for more than 85 homeless adults daily. A second tier of services, including medical care, job development, housing assistance, legal aid, mental health outreach, and any other services identified to assist this most-hard-to- reach population are also available and encouraged. Screening and referral for the South Napa Shelter is done at the HOPE Center. Vouchers for the Winter Shelter are distributed at this site. Phone (707) for more information. Rental Assistance Program - offers no-interest loans and grants to aid families and elderly and disabled individuals to secure and maintain housing. Payment for rental deposits, lapsed rent, or mortgages are paid directly to the landlord or mortgage. Phone (707) for more information. Housing and Homeless Prevention

9 Shelter and Homeless Services Costs Housing and Homeless Prevention Program Total Cost CANV Contribution (Grants & Fundraising) Housing Trust FundCity of Napa Other Cities and Towns Hope Center $ 220,324 $ 115,324 $ 40,000 $ 25,000 Samaritan Shelter $ 325,432 $ 115,082 $ 105,175 South Napa Shelter $ 549,111 $ 167,829 $ 190,641 Winter Shelter $ 133,319 $ - $ 133,319 Housing and Homeless Coordinator $ 70,000 TOTAL $ 1,298,186 $ 398,235 $ 539,135 $ 335,816 $ 25,000

10 A County Wide Strategy Housing and Homeless Prevention

11 A Strategy on Homelessness In order to implement the necessary strategies to achieve the ambitious goal of ending, reducing or managing homelessness, we must refocus our entire community to create uniform policies on: Discharge practices Housing Homeless prevention Law enforcement and Corrections Health, social services, substance abuse and mental health interventions. Shared Governance The Grand Jury as far back as , as well as the Grand Jury of , supports the need for a single structure for the development of homelessness policies. “There is no simple solution to homelessness in Napa County. As a result, the situation hasn’t changed much since the Grand Jury Report. While each agency focuses on and tries to fill a specific need, there is not a single organization, committee, or governing body that organizes all of the various services with a comprehensive approach.”

12 A Strategy on Homelessness Recommendations: Create a position dedicated to the coordination of Homeless Policy and Services Establish a work group of City and County policy makers to develop and monitor homeless and housing policies and services Shared financial responsibilities Menu of Policy Opportunities Include: –Housing - home loss prevention and accelerated housing –Employment strategies - first and second level employment priorities linked to homelessness –Law enforcement - consistent practices for referrals and arrests –Behavioral health investments - integrated and assertive outreach –Institutional - discharge agreements Hospitals Foster Care Residential treatment programs Jails and prisons Housing and Homeless Prevention

13 Housing and Homeless Prevention Coordination Continuum of Care Ten Year Plan TRAIN HPRR HMIS Policy Council Interjurisdictional Resources Housing Committee Development Coordination Advocacy SWEEP Outreach Communication Shelter Project Individual Case Mgt SPIN Family Case Mgt Discharge Planning

14 A Strategy on Homelessness Policy Council: Representatives of City Councils, Board of Supervisors and Homeless Coordinator Continuum of Care: Local non-profits, City and County Representatives, Members of the Faith Community TRAIN: CANV, NEWS & City of Napa Police Department Homeless Prevention and Rapid Rehousing (HPRR): City of Napa, CANV, Catholic Charities and NEWS HMIS: Homeless Information System Housing Committee: Napa Fair Housing, Napa Valley Community Housing, NEWS, CANV, Family Service of Napa Valley, Housing Authority, Catholic Charities, Buckelew and HHSA SPIN (Service Providers Integrated Network): CalWORKs, Family Preservation, COPE Family Center, Catholic Charities, Child Start, NEWS, CANV’s, Samaritan Family Shelter, CANV Rapid Re-housing (held weekly at Samaritan Family Center) Shelter Project: Mental Health, Alcohol and Drug Services, South Napa Shelter, Hope Center and Napa City outreach team SWEEP: Mental Health Case Management and Crisis Outreach, Napa Police Outreach, CANV Housing and Homeless Prevention

15 Homeless Prevention and Rapid Rehousing (HPRR) Program Purpose Provide financial assistance and services to prevent families or individuals from becoming homeless or assist those who are homeless be quickly re- housed (rapid re-housing) Prioritize households in need of temporary assistance and who are most likely to achieve stable housing These funds are not targeted to the mortgage crisis Total Funds: $1.6 million Allocations Basics: Funding comes through California Department of Housing Community Development and in Napa must go through the County with only.5% ($6,000) available for administration. Funds must be spent in 2 years with 60% spent in the first year or it reverts to the State. Contracts for services must be in place by November, 2009 Housing and Homeless Prevention

16 Homeless Prevention and Rapid Rehousing (HPRR) Financial Assistance Rental Assistance Security and Utility Deposits Utility Payments Moving Costs Hotel Vouchers Relocation and Stabilization Case Management Outreach and Engagement Housing Search and Placement Legal Services Credit Repair Data Collection and Evaluation HMIS (Homeless Management Information System) Administrative Costs (covered by the.5%) Housing and Homeless Prevention

17 Homeless Prevention and Rapid Rehousing (HPRR) Program Eligibility Individual or Family homeless or at risk of homeless and 50% of Area Medium Income Grant must be coordinated with local Continuum of Care and be aligned with the Ten Year Plan and Temporary Assistance to Needy Families (TANF) Napa Plan August submit grant to HCD through Board of Supervisors October Grant Implementation –HMIS data collection and monitoring –Case management, financial assistance, housing stabilization and relocation- through CANV, NEWS and Catholic Charities –Legal Aid and Napa Valley Fair Housing will provide outreach, guidance and legal assistance –Establish a request for qualifications to provide short term rental assistance and housing inspections Housing and Homeless Prevention